Air Force officials name 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Force officials have selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2010.

An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and the Air Staff. The board selected the 12 Airmen based on superior leadership, job performance and personal achievements.

The nominees are authorized to wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon, while the 12 winners will wear the bronze service star device on the ribbon. The winners will also wear the Outstanding Airman of the Year Badge for one year from the date of formal presentation.

The winners are:

Staff Sgt. Joseph R. Aton, Air Combat Command
Tech. Sgt. Anthony G. Graham, Pacific Air Forces
Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr., Air Force Special Operations Command
Senior Master Sgt. Steven Higgins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe
Tech. Sgt. Stephen R. Hunter Jr., Air Force Reserve Command
Master Sgt. James P. Mogren, Air Force Material Command
Senior Airman Cheryl A. Moore, Air Force District of Washington
Senior Airman Ryan D. Pfeifer, Air Force Global Strike Command
Staff Sgt. Zully M. Renon, Air Education and Training Command
Airman 1st Class Samuel A. Siewert, Air Mobility Command
Master Sgt. Sarah A. Sparks, Air Force Space Command
Staff Sgt. Kenneth I. Walker III, Air National Guard

The Air Force Association will honor the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year during its Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., in September. The Airmen will also serve as members of the AFA's enlisted advisory council for the next year.

For more information on this and other Air Force recognition programs, visit the Air Force Personnel Center personnel services website at http://gum.afpc.randolph.af.mil/ or call the Total Force Service Center toll-free at (800) 525-0102 or DSN 665-5000.